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A shield from
glare for anglers, Smith’s VTi Interchangeable Performance Optics (continued)
 Operation:
If you are a frequent reader of TackleTour then you have no doubt read one of my
optics reviews in which I have criticized the ergonomics or operation of the
sunglasses I tested. While many of these shades excelled in one application they
often fell well under the bar in another category. So often optics are designed
for other applications, or general outdoor use, and seem to neglect many of the
important attributes that benefit anglers in particular.
A look at the polarized lens
shield
After testing so many optics
I started questioning if I was just being overly finicky, or if there really was
not a pair of sunglasses out there that could satisfy my main three attributes.
The temples on the VTi are
constructed out of titanium
Those three elements being a
quality interchangeable lens system allowing anglers to changes lenses easily in
the field to match their applications, a light overall weight that would not
weigh down on anglers even after a full day fishing, and finally a durable
design that could stand up to plenty of abuse from the elements and anglers
themselves.
Further porting is done to
eliminate even more weight
I hoped that the VTi would
finally be that pair of optics that would satisfy all my major requirements. The
minute I looked at the retail box I knew this pair of optics was different. The
retail box was at least three times the size of any other sunglasses I have ever
tested.
The shields fit firmly into the
frame, so much so that it is even hard to tell this is a interchangeable pair of
sunglasses
Inside I found a large
rigid nylon case which is ergonomically shaped. The case itself appears very
sleek and inside I found the VTi and enough foam to properly protect even more
lenses than the extra two that it came bundled with. The case on the VTi needs
to be so large because unlike every other interchangeable design I have tested
to date, the lenses on the VTi are a single shield as opposed to separate right
and left lenses.
Bass fishing with the Hardtop
It
took me a while to get over the total bundle. The case provides excellent
protection for both the VTi (in open position) and the extra lenses. A soft
Smith cleaning cloth was provided as well, and the cloth doubled as a soft case
for the VTi when it is inconvenient to carry the entire case. When I finally
started inspecting the VTi sunglasses I was immediately impressed with how light
the pair felt, as well as how solid the lens rested in the frame. Unlike many
two piece designs where the lenses have some give in the frame, the VTi frame
held the shield in place so firmly that it could easily be mistaken as a fixed
pair of glasses.
Notice the small venting gaps on
top
Next Section: The
test continues 
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